| Unit name | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MGRC20006 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Kent |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
EFIM30030 Strategy |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Strategy is concerned with the future direction and scope of organisations and so requires an understanding of the questions: ‘where are we now?’, ‘where do we want to get to?’ and ‘how might we get there?’. The answers to such questions are complicated by, among other things, changing environments, incomplete information, organisational history, politics and cultures, and the actions of other players. Strategy therefore involves the application of concepts and theories to help to understand strategic situations, the ability to recognise alternative future paths, and the skills associated with what is essentially a social practice. The unit takes an organisational view of strategy, acknowledging the considerable influence of organisations on strategy and vice versa.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit builds on introductory level management units such as Introduction to Management and provides a thorough grounding in the core ideas and thinking used to make sense of and create strategy today, as a prelude to more specialized studies in the final year. It is particularly suited to those seeking an intellectual challenge and will appeal to anyone aiming for (senior) management roles in the commercial, public or not for profit sectors and/or careers in consultancy. Ultimately, the unit aims to build analytical skills in the core domain of strategy, to help underpin future career success.
An overview of content
The unit explores the key issues facing organisations as they seek to create and distribute value to users and consumers. These issues include, economies of scale and scope, the creation of business models especially the recent emergence of digital business models, the growth of organisations, understanding the competitive environment, issues of sustainability and the role innovation plays in shaping the business environment.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The unit aims to: develop knowledge, understanding and critical evaluation of the concepts, theories and techniques that organisations employ in making strategy; develop analysis, diagnosis and evaluation skills through applying strategy concepts to case situations; and develop skills in thinking and acting strategically through experiencing, and reflecting critically on, the social practice of making strategy.
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories and practices of strategy;
2. Analyse and appraise strategies through the application of relevant theory;
3. Gather and organise strategy-relevant information from a variety of academic and practice sources in order to critically evaluate strategy concepts, approaches and/or discourses;
4. Discuss the implications of strategy decisions for individuals, organisations and/or wider society
Learning on the unit is focused around lectures and seminars and supported by a range of learning materials available on Blackboard, YouTube links, wikis, selected readings, on-line assessment exercises, and on-line case studies. The focus of the unit is on drawing together the ideas, frameworks, and theories within strategy, with real-life industry examples. The emphasis is on understanding how organisations operate and create value for consumers and users.
Assessment and feedback is integrated into the teaching, initially through the seminar preparations and then through a portfolio of work. Lectures introduce topic areas and seminars develop deeper discussion of those areas. Seminars are based around case studies and student research and will involve group discussion, aimed at developing analytical and diagnostic skills, critical evaluation, awareness and reflection. Selected readings will be introduced through Blackboard, organised by week.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Active participation in the seminars will help students to develop the knowledge, understanding and higher-level cognitive skills required for the summative assessment. During these seminars we will work on elements of the materials that will be assessed in the summative assessment and will provide the opportunity for both peer and tutor feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Assessment 1 (10% of final mark)
Seminar preparation (ILO 1, 2, 4). Seminars are a key focus of learning in this unit. To ensure you are well prepared for your seminars you are required to prepare and submit, in advance of your seminars, seven ‘preparations’ based on the seminars’ tasks. This will involve reading and reflecting on the set tasks.
Assessment 2 (90% of final mark)
Final Summative assessment: You will submit a 2500-word individual-based portfolio of work comprising 3-5 elements testing ILOs 1-4 (including for example: an analysis of a case study; a strategy proposal; a critical appraisal of strategy theory and/or practice etc.). This assessment provides you with an opportunity to develop an in-depth study of one area of strategy.
When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessment 1 (10% of final mark) – an individual 1000-word essay on the strategy of an organisation (ILO 1, 2, 4).
Reassessment 2 (90% of final mark) – a 2500-word essay based on the student’s own research into a strategy topic (individual) (ILOs 1-4)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MGRC20006).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
